FLORIDA

Constitutional Clause/Language

“Adequate provision shall be made by law for a uniform system of free public schools and for the establishment, maintenance and operation of institutions of higher learning and other public education programs that the needs of the people may require.” Fl. Const. Art. IX, s. 1.

Major Court Decision: Coalition for Adequacy and Fairness in Sch. Funding v. Chiles, 680 So.2d 400 (Fla. 1996).

Result: Financing System Upheld (but state constitution subsequently amended to entitle students to high quality education).

Summary:  The court held that the “uniform system of public schools” clause should not be construed to mean that all school districts should have similar monetary expenditures.  The court also held that separation of powers prohibited it from making substantive evaluations in an area reserved to legislative judgment.

Key Quotes:

“Moreover, Florida law now is clear that the uniformity clause will not be construed as tightly restrictive, but merely as establishing a larger framework in which a broad degree of variation is possible.”  Id. at 407

“Because Plaintiffs do not ask the Court to review the constitutionality of any specific legislative enactment, the separation of powers provision of the Florida Constitution, Article II, Section 3, clearly prevents this court from granting the relief sought by Plaintiffs.”  Id.

“We hold that the legislature has been vested with enormous discretion by the Florida Constitution to determine what provision to make for an adequate and uniform system of free public schools. Appellants have failed to demonstrate in their allegations a violation of the legislature's duties under the Florida Constitution.”  Id. 408